**The Shadows Follow**

The next morning, Andrew woke up with a sense of unease still lingering in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that Judd's behavior was a sign of something more sinister, something that threatened to disrupt his life and relationships. As he got dressed and headed downstairs, he noticed a piece of paper on the kitchen counter with a note from Nick: "I'll talk to my parents tonight, see what I can find out. Be careful, and try to stay away from Judd today." Andrew felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that Nick was on his side and willing to help him get to the bottom of Judd's strange behavior. He grabbed a quick breakfast and headed out the door, his mind racing with possibilities. As he walked to school, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. He glanced over his shoulder, but Judd was nowhere to be seen. The feeling persisted, however, and Andrew found himself quickening his pace, anxious to get to the safety of his classroom. The day dragged on, with Andrew's anxiety simmering just below the surface. He tried to focus on his classes, but his mind kept wandering back to Judd and the unsettling encounter the night before. At lunchtime, Andrew spotted Judd across the room, his eyes fixed intently on him. Andrew's heart skipped a beat as Judd raised his glass in a silent toast. The gesture sent a shiver down Andrew's spine, and he quickly looked away, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. The rest of the day passed in a blur, with Andrew's mind preoccupied with Judd's strange behavior. He couldn't concentrate on his studies, and his usually sharp mind felt dull and foggy. As the school day drew to a close, Andrew gathered his things and headed out to his next class. He was lost in thought, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Judd, when he heard a voice behind him. "Hey, Andrew." He turned to see Judd standing in the doorway, a smile spreading across his face. "What do you want, Judd?" Andrew asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. Judd sauntered into the room, his eyes locked on Andrew's. "I just wanted to remind you about our plans for tomorrow," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We're going to work on that project together, remember?" Andrew nodded, feeling a sense of unease. "Yeah, I remember." Judd nodded, his smile growing wider. "Great. I'll pick you up at 10 am. Be ready." With that, Judd turned and walked out of the room, leaving Andrew feeling more uneasy than ever. As he watched Judd disappear down the hallway, he couldn't help but wonder what Judd's plans were, and what he really wanted from him. That evening, as Andrew was walking home from school, he noticed a car following him. He quickened his pace, but the car kept pace with him, its engine purring smoothly. Andrew's heart was racing as he turned onto his street, hoping to lose the car in the crowd. But as he approached his front door, he saw Judd standing on the porch, his eyes gleaming in the fading light. Andrew's breath caught in his throat as Judd smiled and said, "I've been waiting for you." Andrew's mind was racing with questions. What did Judd want from him? And how was he going to get away from him?